By GARRY HOWE
A PAST and present president of the Pakenham RSL and three Trojans of Inner Wheel were honoured at Tuesday night’s Rotary Club of Pakenham changeover dinner.
Margaret Macdonald, Sue Blenkhorn, Norm Joseph and Gary and Alma Elliott were each presented with Paul Harris Fellowships – one of Rotary’s highest honours – on a night where long-serving Rotarian Wal Macdonald accepted the chains of office from outgoing president Vivienne Armstrong.
It was a big night for the Macdonald family. Wal is married to Paul Harris recipient Margaret, who received the award on the back of 15 years of service to Inner Wheel.
A retired nurse, she is currently national treasurer of Inner Wheel, has been secretary-treasurer of the Pakenham Garden Club and has helped out with the Cardinia Relay for Life for the past three years.
Sue Blenkhorn has a long community involvement, including 20 years with Inner Wheel, 25 years on the Pakenham Show Society and stints with the Pakenham Pony Club, Biala, Riding for the Disabled, ROMAC and Relay for Life.
Norm Joseph signed up for active duty in World War II at only 15, like many falsifying his age upon enlistment, and served for five years.
He worked as a transport engineer for Robert Bosch for many years and retired to Pakenham in the 1990s, where he became an active member of the Pakenham RSL during a difficult time for the branch.
Vietnam veteran Gary Elliott is the current RSL president who, along with wife Alma, has been very active in the community. Alma has given long service to Inner Wheel and Gary is a past member of the Rotary Club of Pakenham. The Rotary Deb Ball is a product of their joint interest and enthusiasm.
Mr Macdonald promised a more social year while at the helm and he lived up to that immediately by engaging talented local entertainer Andrew Williams, who had guests dancing in the aisles during the night.
For a detailed report of the Rotary Club of Pakenham changeover dinner and others throughout the district, don’t miss your copy of next week’s Pakenham-Berwick Gazette.
